Bay of Pigs 50 Years Later Bay of Pigs 50 Years Later Fifty years ago today, Cuban forces fought back a battalion of invaders who aimed to cast out the country’s leader Learn more about the invaders, their plan, how the attack played out and what it all meant for the United States. Bay of Pigs Invasion On April 17, 1961, U.S.-backed forces attempted to invade southern Cuba but failed. The incident was part of an ongoing international power struggle. The CIA’s involvement In March 1960, the CIA drafted “A Program of Covert Action Against the Castro Regime” and got the green light The plan of attack The CIA recruited Cuban exiles in this area, then gave them military training and equipment and appointed their leader. What was his name? Invasion Day Exile forces landed on the Cuban beach, banking on a flawed plan — what was supposed to happen that didn’t? Also, Castro had advance warning of the invasion and was prepared. The mission failed After three days, the event came to an unsucces...